Jean Nunn has just got married aged 70 to Mike Garnham, 67.
Jean's 100 year old father, Bill, gave her away on the day.

That’s exactly what happened to Jean Nunn - drawn to Mike Garnham by destiny and given away at her wedding in Melton by centenarian dad, Bill.

The newlyweds met by chance on the other side of the world and are now beginning a new life together in Little Bealings.

Bride Jean said: “We know two other couples of our generation who have married in the last six months, but I don’t know of anyone else whose dad is 100. I told him that if he made it to a ton, he could give me away!

“He was driven from Cambridge by my brother the day after his 100th birthday party. He has mobility problems but he’s in good form and managed to walk me through the registry office. I’m very pleased he was able to do that.”

Newlyweds Jean Nunn and Mike Garnham with their family - including Jean's 100-year-old dad Bill, who walked her down the aisle at the wedding
Photo: James Elms

Jean was widowed eight years ago, while Mike’s wife of 40 years was tragically killed by a hit-and-run driver in Ipswich in March 2008.

Mike, 67, a former civil engineer, who honoured tradition by asking Jean’s father for her hand in marriage, said: “If not for incredible coincidence, we would never have met.

“I had said never again. I never expected it to happen. I never thought I would find anyone that could match.”

Jean and Mike, who spent their honeymoon on the River Stour, have moved into Jean’s Little Bealings home. Between them, they have three children and four grandchildren.

Jean, a former BBC Open University producer, had also discounted remarriage but is delighted to have tied the knot - and to have been given away by her father 38 years after he first led her down the aisle.

“It’s so good to be happy and have company – to not keep going back to an empty house,” she said. “I think loneliness is self-inflicted. The answer is pretty simple but you have to be a bit brave.

“For us, the wedding was an important sign of our commitment to each other. It was made very special by my father being there.”